Okay so I have depression anxiety adhd anger issues and a bit insomnia. Now I wanted to write a character with bipolar mood disorder, and when I found the symptoms, it was exactly how i was like months ago before I started getting help, and i brought it up to my mom and she agreed thats how i was. Now my thing is is did i get misdiagnosed? The BMD symptoms arent bad now becuase my therapist and i do mindfullness and emdr, which is what they recomended for BMD.
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Hi there!
This sounds like a really confusing situation. There is a lot of overlap between some diagnoses and a lot of symptoms can be similar. There is also a lot of overlap with treatment. Mindfulness in particular is something that is practiced as treatment for a multitude of mental health conditions. One thing that’s important to point out about bipolar disorder is that the diagnostic criteria includes specific time frames for symptoms and depression as well as mania. You mentioned that you were diagnosed with depression, which could be the reason why you identified with some of the symptoms. You likely also encountered symptoms of mania in your searching, but for the sake of reference, here are some (via https://www.verywellmind.com/symptoms-of-mania-380311):
Changes in thought patterns
Disorientation or disjointed thinking
Enhanced creativity or inventiveness
Rapid thoughts
Development of psychosis
Delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia
Impaired judgment
Mood changes
Speech disruptions
Sudden changes in energy and activity
Another form of mania is called hypomania. This is essentially a less extreme form of mania, where you experience more mild symptoms. When you experience depressive episodes and hypomania, but no manic episodes, you would meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar II. Here are some symptoms of hypomania (via https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-hypomania-how-is-it-diagnosed-380313):
Behaving inappropriately
Example: making crude remarks at a dinner party
Dressing and/or behaving flamboyantly
Hypersexuality
Jumping from one subject to an unrelated topic while speaking
Reduced need for sleep
Spending recklessly
Taking chances you normally wouldn't because you "feel lucky"
Talking so fast that it's difficult for others to follow what's being said
Unusual irritability, excitement, hostility, or aggression
If you do believe you were misdiagnosed, bring it up to your therapist. They likely have reasons why they chose your diagnoses over bipolar disorder, and they will be able to share these with you. You could also consider seeing another therapist for a second opinion.
Here are some resources that could help you find another therapist:
https://openpathcollective.org/- low cost therapy options
https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling
I hope that you are able to work through this situation.
Best wishes,
Mikaela